Raizen didn't waste any more time contemplating the creature's existence. Whatever it was, it had chosen to withdraw, and that was enough for now. He had bigger concerns—getting out of this underground maze before House Valen caught up to him.
The system pulsed another update.
[Emergency Exit Route Identified – Surface Hatch: 350 Meters Ahead]
Raizen exhaled sharply, his body still tense from the encounter, and sprinted forward. His steps echoed through the dim tunnels, the faint hum of failing lights buzzing overhead. Every so often, he'd hear a distant noise behind him—a reminder that House Valen's forces weren't far.
He reached a rusted ladder leading up to a reinforced hatch, stopping for only a moment to listen. No immediate sounds above.
Good.
Climbing quickly, Raizen pushed against the hatch. It groaned in protest but finally gave way, letting in the cold night air.
He pulled himself up into an alleyway on the outskirts of the academy's lower districts. It was deserted, the neon glow of distant city lights flickering against rain-slicked pavement.
The system chimed again.
[Alert: Pursuers Approaching – 90 Seconds]
Raizen swore under his breath and took off toward the safer districts. He needed to disappear.
As he moved through the streets, his mind raced. The heist was complete. He had the artifact. But it also meant that House Valen wouldn't let this go.
I need to lay low… at least for now.
His best option? Ayaka.
Raizen slipped into a small, secluded residential block and found the familiar apartment. He knocked twice before the door creaked open slightly, revealing Ayaka's sharp, amused gaze.
"You look like you've had a long night," she remarked, leaning against the doorframe.
Raizen smirked. "You could say that."
She scanned him up and down, then sighed and stepped aside. "Get in before someone sees you."
He entered, the warm interior a stark contrast to the damp streets outside. Ayaka shut the door and crossed her arms. "You pulled it off, didn't you?"
Raizen smirked, tapping his pack. "Mission accomplished."
She shook her head, but her expression softened. "And now House Valen wants you dead."
"Most likely."
Ayaka sighed dramatically. "Well, since you're alive… I guess you deserve your reward."
Raizen raised an eyebrow as she smirked and stepped closer, trailing a finger down his chest. The tension between them shifted.
She grinned. "I did say I'd make it worth your while, didn't I?"
The system pulsed with a new notification.
[Quest Reward: Ayaka's Favor – Initiated]
Raizen chuckled. Finally, something enjoyable after all that chaos.
And this time, he wasn't going to hold back.
Raizen's Status Update (After Chapter 32)
Name: Raizen Izumoto
Race: Human (Draconic Bloodline - Unlocked: 5%)
Age: 18
Title: None
Rank: F1
System Level: 3
Cultivation Method: Basic Combat Enhancement (F-Tier)
Abilities:
Draconic Reflex Boost (Activates in danger - Small Boost to Speed & Awareness)Shadow Fang Strike (E-Tier - High-speed precision strike to disrupt opponent's energy flow)Enhanced Stamina (Natural ability from bloodline - increased endurance and recovery speed)
Equipment:
Stealth-Weave Suit (Disrupts heat signatures, dampens sound - temporary stealth enhancement)Compact Plasma Cutter (High-efficiency cutting tool - useful for breaking through security locks)Vault Combat Knife (Reinforced blade with energy-disrupting edge - effective against armored targets)
Relationships:
Selene (Childhood Friend - Unreachable for now, but watching his progress)Ayaka Renji (Friends with Benefits - Possible Future Concubine, Pending Strength Requirement)
Notable Quests:
Ayaka's Oath (Become stronger to claim Ayaka as a concubine - Requires higher power and influence)Artifact Investigation (The stolen artifact's purpose is unknown, but it will become crucial when he gains his flagship)House Valen Heist Investigation (House Valen is investigating the robbery - staying hidden is critical)